Novels by Ella Anderson

Austin locked the door behind them. Rachel stood near the window, arms wrapped around herself. “You should eat,” Austin said gently. “I’m not hungry.” “You look weak though.” She didn’t argue this time. He went into the kitchen and came back with something simple — warm rice and grilled chicken. Nothing fancy. Just comfort food. He placed it in front of her. “Sit.” She hesitated, then sat. For a moment she only stared at the plate. “I feel like if I relax, something bad will happen,” she whispered. Austin pulled a chair closer. Just enough. “You’re safe here,” he said quietly. She looked at him. “Are you sure?” Then he said softly, “I’m here. That’s what I’m sure about.” She finally took a bite. Small. Slow.After a few minutes she asked, “Why are you helping me?” Austin leaned back slightly. “Because no one helped you.” That hit her. Her eyes became glossy but she didn’t cry. Instead, she kept eating.A soft silence filled the room. For t

Austin barely slept. By morning, his nerves were frayed thin. He stood in his study, staring at his phone, rereading the short message Rachel had sent an hour ago. I’m fine. It’s quiet. Too quiet. He locked the screen and exhaled. He couldn’t go too long without checking on her. The bunker was secure — but paranoia had its own voice. And today, John was watching him. Downstairs, the mansion felt heavier than usual. Staff moved carefully. Security had doubled overnight. John was already in the dining hall when Austin entered. “You’re leaving later?” John asked casually, sipping his coffee. Austin nodded. “Jet’s at four.” John’s eyes lifted slowly. Studying. Measuring. “You seem… distracted.” Austin forced a small smile. “You buried someone you fought to protect. Tell me you wouldn’t be.” John held his gaze for three seconds too long. Then he looked down at his phone. It buzzed. Once. Twice. John’s expression didn’t change — but his fingers stilled slightly before he u

Austin walked as fast as he could, trying to disappear from John’s sight. He didn’t want to stay another second. If John looked at him too long, he might see that something was wrong. He entered his car quickly and shut the door. For a moment, he just sat there, staring at the steering wheel. What was he doing? Was this right? Was he betraying his own family? Should he inform the police about Rachel’s whereabouts? He exhaled slowly. This wasn’t her fault. Whatever happened before, she didn’t deserve to be hunted like this. Everyone deserves a second chance. He started the car and drove. Two and a half hours later, he arrived at the coast . He stayed inside the car for about five minutes, staring at the house in front of him. The place was quiet. Once he stepped out, there would be no going back. He walked to the door and knocked. After a few seconds, the coded lock clicked, and the door opened slowly. Rachel stepped out. “I don’t think you’re safe here,” Austin said immed

Linda’s breath hitched as she stepped closer to the window, gripping her phone tighter. “Are you sure where she is… is actually safe, Austin?” Austin pressed his fingers into his forehead, exhaustion weighing on his shoulders. “It’s nothing fancy,” he murmured, voice low. “But it’s manageable. For now.” He pushed open the hospital doors and let the cold outside air hit him, cooling the fire in his chest. “Here,” he said. “This is the location.” He sent it. Linda checked the map and froze. “That small cottage? Near the coast?” “Yes.” “Austin… Dad could show up there anytime. That was Grandfather’s favourite place before Grandma passed.” “I know.” His voice dropped to almost a whisper. “But he hasn’t gone there in years. The renovation stopped, and the whole area’s been abandoned. Nobody uses it anymore.” “It’s still not safe.” Her tone hardened, fear mixing with determination. “Austin, I’ll find something better. I think there’s an underground apartment in Grandfather’s o

Austin stood there, trying to breathe, but everything around him felt like it was collapsing. His eyes lifted slowly until they met John’s cold, tight face. “Austin,” John said firmly, “you have to be strong. He—Sam—is the reason we are in this mess. Imagine what that girl could have done… how she easily fooled us all. We need to find someone else to hire. Someone to track Rachel down and make her pay for everything she’s done to this family. No one just lies their way in like that and gets to walk away.” Austin’s jaw tightened. His voice came out low. “But John… you saw what happened to her. You saw what Luke did to her after her father died. Rachel was his family. They abandoned her.” “And how does that justify her lying to us?” John asked sharply. “How does that excuse the chaos she brought into this house? We have bigger issues now. You need to focus on the company. With Mr. Daniels in a coma, we need someone to step in as CEO until he wakes up—God willing he does. You must be

The car rode for over two hours, but the silence only grew heavier. Austin didn’t say a word, and Rachel didn’t dare to ask where they were going. She just watched the road fade into emptiness until he finally pulled over in front of an old wooden shed. He got out first, scanning the area carefully before walking toward the house. Rachel followed, her eyes filled with confusion. The place looked deserted—surrounded by trees, wind, and nothing else. He unlocked the door and stepped inside. Rachel hesitated, then closed the door behind her. “What is this place?” she asked quietly. “You brought me to the middle of nowhere. What if I need help?” “There’s a small town about twenty minutes’ walk from here,” Austin said flatly. “If you really need anything. But I doubt anyone here will recognize you.” Rachel’s eyes slowly moved around the room. It wasn’t what she expected. Despite being hidden, it looked well prepared—like someone had designed it as a secret retreat. There was a larg